IPSTDS Chapter 61

Chapter 61

There was no sound returning from the other end of the receiver. Kim Daon simply remained silent.

Lee Kangil considered for a moment whether he should provoke him further, just to see that delicate face twist in anger.

But on second thought, it might be better to end the call after leaving behind a shocking statement—something like saying he had decided to date Yoon Noah. That way, Kim Daon would be left to imagine it on his own.

Lee Kangil hung up the phone. He lingered on the terrace for a while, half expecting another call to come in, but no word came from Kim Daon.

A deep smile spread across Lee Kangil’s lips.

It felt as though he had finally paid Kim Daon back for all the times he had been on the losing end. A sense of exhilaration, perhaps. The satisfaction swelling within him now was beyond words.

All he wanted was for Kim Daon to turn his attention back to Seo Dowoong, not to the innocent Yoon Noah.

Why the two of them acted like lovers without actually dating—only to bother him and Noah—he couldn’t understand.

When he left the terrace and returned to the bed, Yoon Noah was still fast asleep.

As if performing something already decided, Lee Kangil pulled Noah’s body into his arms. Had he lost more weight recently? The sharp feel of his spine under his fingertips was vivid.

He thought he should feed him well, let him sleep plenty, and give him his medicine properly so he could become healthy again.

And when he was healthy, after that…

“……”

After that?

Lee Kangil’s brows furrowed slightly.

He couldn’t believe how naturally his thoughts had wandered to the idea of wanting this short-lived, false relationship to continue beyond its expected end.

He had never once dreamed of a future together with just one person.

Lee Kangil remained lost in thought until the sun went down and the beautiful night view Yoon Noah had spoken of spread across the sky.

* * *

“Wildcat, wake up.”

The moment he heard that voice, something hot seemed to brush across his cheek. Nahyuk stirred awake and slowly lifted his heavy eyelids.

How long had he slept? The sky outside looked as though the day had already ended.

Lee Kangil was still lying in the same bed, gazing at him with a face that seemed strangely hollow.

“Kangil… did I sleep a lot?”

“About four hours.”

“That’s quite a bit. You should rest too.”

“Watching your face is far more entertaining than sleeping.”

“Why? Did I drool and snore?”

“Who knows.”

Instead of answering, Kangil only ruffled Nahyuk’s hair. That touch felt awfully tender.

“Enough of that. Come with me.”

Even the hand that helped Nahyuk up felt gentle. It was as though something good had happened while he was asleep.

Still half-drowsy, Nahyuk struggled to raise his languid body and followed him.

It was only the sleepiness that lingered—physically, he felt far better than before he had gone to sleep. His mood wasn’t bad at all.

Soon, the two stepped out onto the terrace.

The instant Nahyuk set foot there, he let out a startled “Wow.” A breathtaking night view spread out before his eyes.

The city lights glittered like stars in the night sky, and even the endless stream of headlights on the road seemed strangely romantic.

He filled his eyes with the sight of Seoul sprawled out below and carved the view into his memory, so that in times of hardship and loneliness he could summon it back again.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time he had seen a nightscape. Even before possessing Yoon Noah’s body, he had seen plenty.

But back then, he had never once felt its beauty.

As a child, the pressure of studies had been crushing. At home, he was always careful not to provoke anyone. Before employment, his worries centered on finding a job; after securing a respectable one, he was weighed down by performance expectations. And then there was the time a colleague discovered he was gay.

All those hardships had narrowed Nahyuk’s vision.

Even when he saw something beautiful, he couldn’t feel it. Even when he ate something delicious, the taste never lingered.

He lived simply because he was alive, not because he had the courage to live. And since he lacked the courage to die, he remained alive.

That was why life always felt empty. He longed for love, thinking love might be the breakthrough to escape that emptiness.

In movies, the protagonists who fell in love always looked happy. They said love made everything around you look beautiful.

Nahyuk wanted to be intoxicated by that beauty too.

Just as those thoughts crossed his mind, Lee Kangil’s voice reached him.

“How is it? Pretty amazing view, right?”

Nahyuk looked at him with eyes that had unknowingly grown moist. Kangil was leaning against the railing, chin resting on his arm, staring straight at him.

“Does it move you so much you’re about to cry?”

“…No, I’m not crying.”

Nahyuk wiped the corners of his eyes. Though he felt a lump in his throat, thankfully no tears fell.

“You’re right. The view is stunning. Thanks for coming out here with me.”

The fact that he could now feel beauty—something he never sensed when he lived as Lee Nahyuk—was partly thanks to being in Yoon Noah’s body, freed of worries. But it was also thanks to Lee Kangil.

Because Kangil was there beside him.

Because he wasn’t savoring this beauty alone, but sharing it with someone, the moment felt all the more romantic.

Nahyuk no longer wanted to live numbly as before.

Even if his health failed and he eventually died, he didn’t want to overlook the beauty right before him.

At least here, he didn’t have to struggle desperately. Seo Dowoong was an issue, yes, but aside from that, there weren’t many who criticized him.

His heart felt strangely warm and heavy.

With those feelings, Nahyuk gazed at Kangil’s hair swaying softly in the night breeze, and into his languid eyes blinking slowly at him.

Even with the dazzling city lights before him, he couldn’t pull his gaze away from the enthralling magnetism of Kangil’s slightly slanted eyes.

By the time he realized it, his lips had already brushed against Kangil’s.

Nahyuk was grateful to him, found him handsome, and wanted to express the overflowing emotion inside him—even if only with the briefest kiss.

But Kangil seemed unable to believe that Nahyuk had initiated the kiss.

Confusion colored the face that had never faltered no matter what happened. His eyes widened suddenly as he looked at Nahyuk.

Meeting his gaze, Nahyuk confessed softly.

“My eyes are drawn more to you than to the view.”

Why was it, that even with the long-dreamed nightscape right before him, he could only look at Kangil?

Nahyuk continued to gaze at him, and Kangil did not look away.

If Kangil’s face seemed to flush red, was that just his imagination?

* * *

The next day, the moment Nahyuk awoke, he began preparing to head out.

He washed carefully, then selected his clothes with great attention.

He didn’t even glance at Yoon Noah’s flamboyant wardrobe. A suit seemed too formal. Something casual but still stylish… was there nothing like that?

After agonizing for a full thirty minutes, in the end he chose an ordinary short-sleeved T-shirt and jeans.

Once ready, he checked the clock. It was already 1 p.m.—time to leave soon.

He asked the chauffeur, whom he had grown friendly with over the past few days, to take him somewhere.

The destination was none other than Kim Daon’s apartment. In the blink of an eye, it had become Daon’s birthday.

Nahyuk had wanted to send him a congratulatory message at midnight but decided against it, worrying it might feel like a burden.

No matter how close they had grown, there were still boundaries to respect.

He didn’t want Daon to feel pressured and grow distant again after they had just become closer.

Instead, he planned to visit Daon’s home around 2 p.m.

The day before, he had already told Garam and Heechan about his plan to come at that time. They would keep Daon occupied until he arrived.

According to them, Daon had no plans on Saturday afternoon.

“I’ll celebrate with him during the day, then let him spend the evening with friends or family.”

Celebrate his birthday, but also respect his space. A perfect plan.

The sedan carrying Nahyuk soon pulled up near Kim Daon’s apartment. He asked the driver to stop.

“I’ll get off here. No need to wait for me today—you can head back. Since it’s close by, I’ll just take a taxi home later.”

“Yes, young master! But if you call, I’ll come for you right away.”

“Thank you! Get home safely.”

“Yes!”

After stepping out of the sedan, Nahyuk headed straight for a large bakery nearby. After all, it was a birthday—there was no way he could arrive without a cake.